The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-07-16

onc person out OF nail dozen VINO Calleu,
and he found himself with tail, dark man,
who was suitably enshrlned in lofty dark
study.
"Ha, Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray, rising.
"Delighted to see you, sir; and yet-and
yet-lm always in rather trembe when
any one from the regiment calls, on account
OF that scapegrace Of q son Of nine"
ut Is with reference to him that have
come" said Smith.
"Then before you begin, please tell me
II am to prepare myself for bad news ~
said Lord Cray
We'll, my Lord, 1t needn't be bad" re.
piled Smith. THAT is to say, it depends
upon the way you look ut it.'
HIN Depends upon me, does iti What
is itl' asked his l)rdship.
Hes in love with girl" said old Smith.
"Thats regular epidemic with him,
Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray. "But II she's
n lady and all right don't care. Nothing
will steady him until he marries, and if, as
/ said, shes-ahem, of q suitable position
OF course, Mr.. Smith, we must be a little
cxclusive-why, it's the very best thing he
can do'
'Well, my Lord. there's the difficulty"
said old Smith. "Shes d lady by birth and
education, but from pressure of family cir
cumstances she has been obliged to get her
living in q millners shop"
"Milliner's shop!" exclaimed Lord Cray
"That is indeed difficulty. The best of
birth and education hardly balances the
shop, does IL, eh! Confound him! And
the matters gone so far that you've come
to see me about it, or course you're u
great friend Of his. believe they call you
old Smith in the regiment, don't theyw
"Ycs, l take great interest in him and
In the girl" replied Smith ''and I've taken
the liberty not only to speak pretty plainly
to your son, but to have the girl removed"
"Then you've constituted yourself the
young lady's protector Mr.. Smith," said
His Lordship. "But If the cause of the evil
is removed, why bother any more about itl
Why, sir, Robert has been in love-a score
OF times to my knowledge; yet he has sur
vived in each case Why shouldn't he sur
vive in this!"
"Well, my Lord, you see the girl loves
him honestly and truly, and 1 conscen-
tiously believe that, in this instance, his
love is really genuine" replied Smith.
"True that she is out OF his way now, but
could not answer for the effect which such
separation might have on him."
"H'ml Well, of course, Lord Cray's son
mustn't marry u girl in trade, although
Lord Cray himself does sell his game and
his fruit, and possesses coal wharf on the
Regents canal" said the nobleman. "Yet
you say she's lady. Where is she, Capt
ain Smith!'
"With her father in the country, )" replied
the officer.
"Who is hea What is her ssked Lord
Cray.
''He is clergyman-the rector Of a poor
parish, with large family to bring up
NrvN v,.,u AL l~.,A 4
has been obliged to send his daughter out
to get her own living in the wcr,d," replied
old Smith.
The great man rose from hii chair and
paced up and down the room 2fr some mo-
ments in deep thought. At last ne stopped
short and said:
captain Smith, get the Civ! out of the
millinery business as soon as yau can. OF
course am saying this upon the supposi-
tion that you are so far acquainted with
her as to be able to do it. If money is
needed write me line here, and let the
young rascal pursue his suit. don't know
how to thank you sufficiently for the trouble
YOU have taken, as in the absence Of the in.
formation you have given me, should as
suredly have treated the clandestine union
of my son with milliner girl with the
greatest severity"
'Then may tell your son, my lord. that
-and-n
"The sooner he gets married the BETTER"
said Lord Cray.
Old Smith took his leave with beaming
face and arrived at Filstone in time for
mess.
The Hon. Bob Topsham was there and
glared unutterable things at his brother
officer throughout the repast. Indeed, old
Smith could not help being conscious that
he was an object Of general interest and,
from the fact that conversation at the table
was more subdued than usual, although it
was guest night, he opined that during
his brief absence storm had been gather
ing which would presently burst upon his
head.
Immediately after dinner Smith, az was
his custom, rose and left the room, with
out taking any wine. Bob Topsham also
rose and followed him, and when he got
outside the door said, in voice which was
almost inarticulate with anger:
"Smith, are you going to apologize for
your behaviorF
"Hullo" exclaimed Smith, laughing;
"that's rather good; o sub of three years.
standing making cool request like that to
man fifteen years his senior'
II don't care IL you were fifty years my
behaved in a."
"Stop! stop" cried old Smith, "don't go
too farl Let me have word! Come to
my roomsw
Directly the door was closed behind
them, old Smith, without any preface,
said: Are you still in love with Gracic
Cloughl"
"Of course am," replied Bob, in amaze.
ment. "But what's the use of it now.
you've bolted with her! You've taken a
mean advantage Of a fellow. You've be-
hav ID like a."
STEADY, lad, steadyW interposed old
Smith, laying his hand gently on the
shoulder of the excited youngster. sits
true I've taken her away, but only did so
to enable me to do you good turn. You're
quite sure you love Oracle sufficiently to
make her good husbanda"
"Why, of course I do," replied Bob,
looking inquiringly into the face of the
elder officer. "But say, Smith, what does
this all meant What have you been doinga"
swell, I've got your father's consent to
your marriage with her, that's all, replied
old Smith
"You have!" gasped Bob Topsham. "Do
you mean to say you have given her up to
mel You, who loved her as much as did
You, whom I've been slanging right and
left for doing what thought was a-mean
action. Where is Graciel"
"At her father's-at my fathers house,
replied Smith
"Her fathers and your father'sp re-
peated the young man. "Why, is she your
sister!"
"Yes she is my sister," replied old